Atlanta Hawks Should Be Attempting to Trade Jeremy Lin
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Hawks are focusing on building their future, playing a mix of rookies and veterans. Jeremy Lin is finally healthy and has been productive in limited minutes for the Hawks, it is time to trade the point guard to a contending team.
Jeremy Lin and Trae Young have formed a solid point guard duo for the Atlanta Hawks so far this season. Young is obviously a big part of the franchises future, while Lin offers a steadying hand to the second unit.
He has played under twenty minutes a game scoring 10.6 points a game and averaging just over 3 assists.
If he can remain healthy he is an attractive trade piece to a contending organization. For Atlanta, they need to make the tough decision and trade valued veterans like Lin in favor of giving their rookies and young players more minutes.
Lin has one of the more recognizable names on the Hawks roster and would demand some trade value for a contender attempting to catch Golden State.
Draft pick compensation seems like the most likely avenue for a potential Lin trade, though dealing him with a bad contract like Miles Plumlee could be an option.
Plumlee is on one of the worst contracts in the NBA and even paired with Lin would likely still demand a horrible contract in return. Still, taking on another bad deal to rid themselves of Plumlee seems like a viable option for a team who appears to be closing in on the end of a rebuild.
While the Hawks are still at least a year away from contending in a weak East they are quickly improving and could easily become contenders if their rookies continue to develop. If Young’s shooting efficiency can improve along with a few additions, Atlanta is poised to take a step forward next season.
A step forward that Jeremy Lin shouldn’t be a part of considering his deal is expiring. With this in mind, it is time to move on from the veteran and give him a chance to win elsewhere as the Hawks continue to focus on what is looking to be a very bright future.